On politics in the Golden State

Jerry Brown, lawmakers get higher marks in new poll

Gov. Jerry Brown received a record high approval rating after introducing his latest budget proposal, according to a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California.

The poll results suggest residents are feeling better about their governor and their state even as they remain concerned about California's finances.

Fifty-one percent of respondents said they approved of Brown's job performance, up from 41% a few months ago and 46% in January 2012, the last record.

The Legislature's job approval rating, which is usually a punch line, shot up to 41% from 30% in September.

"Gov. Brown's approval rating and the Legislature's are rising as the outlook on the state economy is improving," said a statement from Mark Baldassare, president and chief executive officer of the institute.

However, 63% of respondents continue to describe the state budget as a big problem, roughly the same as a year ago. Brown has declared that California's financial crisis is over, and his administration has projected surpluses over the next few years.